REHS Exam 2025: Most-Tested
Topics Made Easy
RCRA
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
CERCLA
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act
SARA
Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act
NEPA
National Environmental Policy Act that acknowledges that the Federal government must consider the
environmental impact. Must assess environmental effects
Types of Wells
Dug, driven, and drilled/bored
Waterborne pathogens
Norovirus (Norwalk), Rotavirus, and Hep A & E
Drilled wells
Well type that is lowest to be contaminated
, Enteroviruses of Waterborne Pathogens
Poliovirus, Coxsackievins, Echo Virus
Water %
70% water
97% salty, 1-3% freshwater
Eutrophication
A process by which nutrients, particularly phosphorus and nitrogen, become highly concentrated in a
body of water, leading to increased growth of organisms such as algae or cyanobacteria.
Algae? What kills it?
Dinoflagellates, causes red tide
Copper Sulfate
Oliotrophic
A body of water that is low in nutrients; young
Eutrophic
Mature; nutrient dense
Mesotropic
balanced lake (nitrogen, phosphorous)
VOCs
volatile organic compounds — benzene, toluene, PERC, and TCE
IOCs
Inorganic compounds — Pb, Cadmium, Arsenic
Contaminates of water
VOCs, IOCs, SOCs, and Radionuclides
SOC
Pesticides
What is used to improve water quality?
Alum
GAC
Granular Activated Carbon — used to remove organic compounds from water system
Emergency Disinfection of Water - Chlorine
Topics Made Easy
RCRA
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act
CERCLA
Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation, and Liability Act
SARA
Superfund Amendments and Reauthorization Act
NEPA
National Environmental Policy Act that acknowledges that the Federal government must consider the
environmental impact. Must assess environmental effects
Types of Wells
Dug, driven, and drilled/bored
Waterborne pathogens
Norovirus (Norwalk), Rotavirus, and Hep A & E
Drilled wells
Well type that is lowest to be contaminated
, Enteroviruses of Waterborne Pathogens
Poliovirus, Coxsackievins, Echo Virus
Water %
70% water
97% salty, 1-3% freshwater
Eutrophication
A process by which nutrients, particularly phosphorus and nitrogen, become highly concentrated in a
body of water, leading to increased growth of organisms such as algae or cyanobacteria.
Algae? What kills it?
Dinoflagellates, causes red tide
Copper Sulfate
Oliotrophic
A body of water that is low in nutrients; young
Eutrophic
Mature; nutrient dense
Mesotropic
balanced lake (nitrogen, phosphorous)
VOCs
volatile organic compounds — benzene, toluene, PERC, and TCE
IOCs
Inorganic compounds — Pb, Cadmium, Arsenic
Contaminates of water
VOCs, IOCs, SOCs, and Radionuclides
SOC
Pesticides
What is used to improve water quality?
Alum
GAC
Granular Activated Carbon — used to remove organic compounds from water system
Emergency Disinfection of Water - Chlorine
